Heartbreaker at Cal: Cats Lose First Game of the Season

By Francisco Romero

Arizona had been through this before: trailing at the end of the game, but always finding a way to win. This time it was different, the much-needed basket never came and thus Cal ended Arizona’s 21 game-winning streak.

The No. 1 team in the country lost to the Bears by a score of 60-58.  Cal improved to (15-7, 6-3 Pac-12) while the Wildcats (21-1, 8-1 Pac-12) tasted defeat for the first time this season.

Wednesday night Arizona was able to escape Maples Pavilion by beating Stanford 60-57, it could not do the same thing at Berkley.

Arizona trailed by 9 points in the first half and by 8 points during the second half.  The Cats took the lead twice in the final minutes of the game, but Justin Cobbs’ jumper with 0.9 seconds left in regulation was just enough for the Cats to overcome.

The biggest loss might not have been the game for the Wildcats, but there is a possibility that Sophomore Power Forward Brandon Ashley may be out for the rest of the season.  Ashley injured his leg as he came down after a defensive rebound attempt.  It is believed that it may be a broken bone, which may take weeks to heel. 

Arizona’s Kaleb Tarczewski led the cats in scoring with 18; he was 12-12 from the free throw line.  T.J. McConnell scored 13 points, Nick Johnson; Arizona’s leading scorer was limited to only four points as he only made one basket and two free throw shots.

For California Justin Cobb finished the game with 19 points and the winning basket. 

Arizona shot 32.2 % from the field.  The Cats were perfect from the free throw line making 16-16.

Arizona returns home Thursday February 6 to face Oregon.